A Victim of Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is common in Australia. It is a pattern of abusive behaviour through which a person seeks to control and dominate another person. Domestic violence does not take the form of a single incident. It is ongoing behaviour that gradually undermines the victim’s confidence and ability to leave the violent person. The severity and frequency of violence often escalate over time.
This violence takes many forms, none of which is mutually exclusive. It can be physical but can also be emotional and psychological. Non-physical forms of abuse can be just as damaging as physical assaults.

How do you know if the people around you are experiencing domestic violence? What are the signs of domestic violence?
Certain types of injuries can act as warning signs that a person may be a victim of (physical) domestic violence. For example, people who have multiple or repeated injuries without a logical explanation, seem strangely ‘accident prone’, or show tell-tale marks such as bruises, fingernail scratches or cigarette burns.

Other signals of domestic violence you might notice in a friend or relative include:
• they have lost their confidence or are unusually quiet
• they seem afraid of their partner
• they have stopped seeing their friends or family
• their partner often criticises them, humiliates them, orders them about or makes all the decisions
• their partner controls how the other person spends money, what they wear or what they do
• they often talk about their partner’s bad temper or jealousy (they might regularly accuse the other of flirting or being unfaithful)
• they say their partner pressures or forces them into sexual activity
• they have physical injuries, like bruises, broken bones, sprains or cuts
• the children seem afraid of the person or are very withdrawn or anxious

Forms of abuse and violence can include:
• Physical harm - threats of self/physical harm, smashing things, hurting pets
• Emotional and psychological abuse - humiliation, put-downs and blaming
• Financial abuse - strict or unfair control of money
• Verbal abuse - name-calling, yelling
• Social abuse - controlling where you go and who you see
• Sexual abuse - and rape
• Stalking - following, making excessive phone calls, texts or emails
• Spiritual or cultural abuse - controlling practices or choices

If you are experiencing abuse or violence it is not your fault. Do not be afraid to seek help. Below are a few avenues and support lines you could contact:

SA Police
Police assistance and emergency response
P: 131 444 OR 000 in an emergency
W: police.sa.gov.au

Domestic Violence Crisis Line
Emergency Accommodation and After Hours Support
P: 1800 800 098
W: womenssafetyservices.com.au

Child Abuse Report Line Report child abuse
P: 13 14 78
W: my.families.sa.gov.au

If you need to seek legal advice, legal representation or if you have a charge for Domestic Violence and would like to find out more about your rights and options, Straits Lawyers are here to help. Simply send us an email at info@straitslawyers.com or give us a call on 8410 9069 to arrange an appointment for an online interview.

Please note that this article does not constitute legal advice and Straits Lawyers will not be legally responsible for any actions you take based on this article.